State Representative Jon Hoadley (D-Kalamazoo) said he welcomes the investment of $300,000 from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund into a local trail that is part of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail system. The funds will be used to construct a segment of trail along the east side of Portage Creek from Lake Street to Vine Street in Kalamazoo’s Upjohn Park. The city of Kalamazoo is providing the remaining $157,000 to complete the project.

“Places like these enrich the quality of life in a community, and investing in them makes our hometowns more livable and attractive to people looking for a place to put down roots and build a career,” Hoadley said. “I’m proud that the first bill I voted on the Legislature will invest $300,000 back into our community and make Kalamazoo an even better place to live, and I’m grateful that the state understands the importance of this project.”

The appropriation was made in House Bill 4078, which deals solely with Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) spending. The MNRTF is a restricted fund that provides money for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. It is funded through interest earned on funds derived from the development of publicly owned minerals. Over the past 39 years, the trust fund has granted more than $1 billion to state and local units of government to develop and improve recreation opportunities.

“I look forward to the passage of this bill through the Legislature, so that work can begin on the Portage Creek Trail project,” Hoadley said. “This kind of investment in our community benefits us all, and make Kalamazoo an even greater place to live.”